EMT Salary

Virginia Beach vs Williamsburg: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Virginia Beach, VA and Williamsburg, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Virginia Beach, VA
$48,571
$23.35/hr
Williamsburg, VA
$44,536
$21.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricVirginia Beach, VAWilliamsburg, VA
Median Salary$48,571$44,536
Hourly Rate$23.35$21.41
Entry Level (P10)$39,577$35,201
25th Percentile$40,667$38,023
75th Percentile$51,799$47,388
Top Earner (P90)$58,063$60,469
Total Employed6905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Virginia Beach ($48,571) and Williamsburg ($44,536) emergency medical technician salaries.Virginia BeachWilliamsburgMedian Salary$48,571$44,536Entry Level (P10)$39,577$35,201Top Earner (P90)$58,063$60,469US Median $47,058

Verdict

Virginia Beach, VA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Williamsburg.

The salary gap between Virginia Beach and Williamsburg is $4,035 (9.06%). Virginia Beach's median is +3.22% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Virginia Beach spans $18,486,Williamsburg spans $25,268. Williamsburg has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Virginia Beach
P10 (Entry)$39,577
P25$40,667
Median$48,571
P75$51,799
P90 (Top)$58,063
Williamsburg
P10 (Entry)$35,201
P25$38,023
Median$44,536
P75$47,388
P90 (Top)$60,469

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Virginia Beach ($49,592 effective) pays 14.92% more than Williamsburg ($43,155 effective).

Virginia Beach
Nominal: $48,571
CoL Index: 97.941
Adjusted: $49,592
Williamsburg
Nominal: $44,536
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $43,155

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Virginia Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,571/year)
  • Larger job market (690 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,592)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Williamsburg if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($60,469)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Virginia Beach grew 26.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 13.3% growth in Williamsburg over the same period.

Virginia Beach, VA

+26.2%

$36,360 (2021) → $45,900 (2025)

Williamsburg, VA

+13.3%

$37,136 (2024) → $42,087 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Virginia Beach or Williamsburg?

Virginia Beach has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $48,571/year, compared to Williamsburg at $44,536/year — a difference of $4,035 (9.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Virginia Beach and Williamsburg?

Virginia Beach emergency medical technicians earn $23.35/hr while Williamsburg hygienists earn $21.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Virginia Beach to Williamsburg as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Virginia Beach and Williamsburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Virginia Beach = $49,592, Williamsburg = $43,155), job availability (690 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Virginia Beach vs Williamsburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $39,577 in Virginia Beach and $35,201 in Williamsburg. The Virginia Beach area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov